Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan claims judicial probe ordered after seeking legal advice

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan explained that the judicial probe into the central agencies’ investigation have been done so following legal advice. The CM’s response came amid allegations by the BJP and the UDF that the judicial inquiry was a farce and an encroachment on federalism.

At the same time, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said that the court should decide whether the judicial inquiry against the central agencies is correct. He explained that he could not wait to see if central agencies would try to create law and order problems, adding that false allegations against the CM and ministers were a matter of law and order and what would happen if people took to the streets in protest.

The state government's unexpected judicial inquiry comes as various central agencies are tightening their grip on the government in the run-up to the elections. Following the Income Tax department raid on KIIFB offices late at night, and considering other central agencies targeting the various Kerala organisations, the state government had initiated a judicial probe into the investigations.

The responses of the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister show that the government is adamant about their stand, despite differing opinions among legal experts on the legality of a judicial inquiry against central agencies. The state government’s intention is to say that everything is part of a move to overthrow the government as well as try to send the message that the CPM is the strongest opponent of the BJP through such extraordinary moves. However, the UDF has repeatedly said that the judicial inquiry is a hoax and that everything is a CPM-BJP ploy.

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK-Congress alliance is making a similar allegation where they claim that I-T department officials are harassing their candidates ahead of the elections. The DMK has filed a complaint with the Election Commission in this regards. Income-Tax raids were carried out at the residence of DMK leader and former minister EV Velu and around 18 establishments.

Income tax officials raided homes and businesses during EV Velu’s campaign with MK Stalin. The DMK alleges that political interests were behind the raids and that the raid on the guesthouse where MK Stalin was residing proves this. Claiming that the AIADMK were behind these raids, DMK general secretary Durai Murugan said such raids would not hold the DMK back from electoral victory. Meanwhile, during an income tax audit held yesterday, Rs 50 Lakh was seized from the residence of Tamil Nadu Transport Minister A Vijayabhaskar’s private secretary.